LALIGA

14Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Sergiño Dest: Ex-Barça coach Xavi was dishonest

Sergiño Dest has said former Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández was not honest with him after leaving the club for PSV Eindhoven on a permanent deal earlier this year. The 23-year-old joined Barça from Ajax in 2020 when Ronald Koeman was still the manager but found first-team opportunities hard to come by after Xavi was appointed in 2021. The United States full-back said Xavi didn't give him enough opportunities to prove himself, restricted his playing style and went back on promises he had made to him. "I wouldn't say regrets, because how it ended didn't depend on me, but I don't feel I had the necessary chances with Xavi," Dest told Diario Sport of his four years as a Barça player. "I felt like I had to play with limits; that I could not be myself. I want to join the attack, which is my bigg...

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12Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona loses court case to get bonus from Zenit

FC Barcelona has lost a court case that would have resulted in a payment from Zenit St. Petersburg of almost half a million euro. Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed an appeal against a FIFA ruling last year in a dispute over the transfer of Malcom to the Russian club. Zenit bought him in 2019 and agreed to pay 490,000 euros every time it qualified for the UEFA Champions League in a season where Malcom played at least half the domestic league games. Zenit won the Russian league title in the 2021-22 season, which would’ve normally qualified them for the Champions League. However, UEFA banned them and all Russian teams from playing in UEFA competitions due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. FIFA ruled that Zenit did not have to pay the bonus since they were never granted Champions League ...

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11Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lewandowski praises Ronaldo for maintaining top form at 39

Polish star striker Robert Lewandowski has praised Cristiano Ronaldo for maintaining the passion and desire for football at 39 years old and being an inspiration to many. "I fully acknowledge what Cristiano Ronaldo has accomplished throughout his career and how he's made history with his records. That will be etched in football forever," Lewandowski told beIN SPORTS. "At almost 40, he still has an incredible hunger to win," he added. On Oct. 12, Lewandowski with Poland will play Ronaldo's Portugal at Warsaw in the Nations League. According to the Polish striker, if Ronaldo no longer showed anger or passion on the pitch, he would have said goodbye to top-level football. "He clearly still has the desire, and he looks physically in very good shape, which shows that the path he chose was succe...

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10Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Marc Casado shares how Hansi Flick is now helping him to improve

Many players have had a remarkable run under Hansi Flick at FC Barcelona but no one has impressed more than Marc Casado. The ex-Barca Athletic captain’s unexpected breakthrough has come as a surprise to one and all. Marc Casado of FC Barcelona controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 match between FC Barcelona and BSC Young Boys at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on October 2, 2024. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Casado has emerged as the first-choice under Hansi Flick in midfield alongside Pedri. After the injury to Marc Bernal, Barcelona were scrambling for options to play in defensive midfield and the 21-year-old put his hand up and has made that position his own. His good form early in the season has earned him a call-up to ...

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9Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Lamine Yamal tips €15m Barcelona teammate to win Pichichi

FC Barcelona have had an excellent start to life under Hansi Flick. The German coach has revitalized the team and made them play a brand of football that is exciting. After a couple of seasons of pragmatism under Xavi, this feels like a breath of fresh air. Robert Lewandowski of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 match between FC Barcelona and BSC Young Boys at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys in Barcelona, Spain, on October 2, 2024. (Photo by Gongora/NurPhoto via Getty Images) Flick has managed to recapture the best of Robert Lewandowski, the 36-year-old Polish striker. He now has 12 goals from 11 games across all competitions, which puts him ahead of Manchester City star Erling Haaland on the European level. Lewandowski has been ...

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8Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Torres sends out message after being ruled out through injury

Ferran Torres has posted a motivational message after being ruled out of action with an injury picked up in Sunday’s La Liga win over Alaves. The Barcelona forward only lasted a few minutes before having to go off with a hamstring problem that is set to keep him sidelined for several weeks. There’s no doubt it’s a blow for Ferran but he’s in positive mood as he focuses on his recovery. He wrote on Instagram: “Wins, joy and motivation are all I need to work and come back stronger. From today, more than ever, #FerrantheShark mode modo ” Ferran had featured in all but one of Barca’s La Liga games under Hansi Flick so far this season, making five starts and three appearances off the bench. He’s bagged one goal and two assists but hasn’t managed to shine as brightly as fellow attackers Lamine ...

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6Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

First-half hat trick for Lewandowski as Barcelona top ahead of international break

Robert Lewandowski continued his impressive start to the season on Sunday, scoring a 25-minute hat trick as Barcelona beat Alaves 3-0 and went into the international break top of the Spanish league. Lewandowski scored in the seventh, 22nd and 32nd minutes to take his league tally to 10 goals in nine matches. He has a total of 12 goals in 11 games in all competitions, and has scored eight times in his last five matches. The Poland striker was coming off a brace in Barcelona's 5-0 rout of Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday. "We played a very good match from the first minute," Lewandowski said. "When you score three goals in the first half, it gives you the ability to be a lot more in control in the second." The victory moved Barcelona three points back in front of Real Madrid ahea...

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6Oct By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

LALIGA

Real flirts with winning ways again with victory over Villareal

An early Federico Valverde strike helped Real Madrid to a 2-0 home win against Villarreal in LaLiga on Saturday as Carlo Ancelotti’s men returned to winning ways after two games without a victory. Real took the lead in the 14th minute with a stunning long-range shot by Valverde following a Luka Modric corner, before Brazilian forward Vinicius Jr sealed the win in the 73rd with an unstoppable strike into the top corner from outside the box. The defending champions were in need of a positive performance after losing 1-0 at Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday and being held to a 1-1 stalemate at Atletico Madrid in their previous LaLiga game. Real, second in the standings, provisionally moved level with Barcelona on 21 points before the LaLiga leaders visit 11th-placed Alaves on Sunday....

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5Oct By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid vs Villarreal line up: Ancelotti drops a big name

Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti will drop a big name from his starting line up as Kylian Mbappe is reintroduced against Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday. LILLE, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD2 match between LOSC Lille and Real Madrid C.F. at Stade Pierre Mauroy on October 02, 2024 in Lille, France. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) At a prematch press conference in the Spanish capital on Friday afternoon, Ancelotti noted that the visitors who were the last team to top his men at the Bernabeu have been "doing very well" thus far this season, with tonight's fixture providing Los Blancos with "an opportunity for us to reconnect, to play good football again....

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4Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Barcelona star slowly ‘winning over’ Hansi Flick

Barcelona youngster Héctor Fort has begun to earn the trust of new head coach Hansi Flick. That’s according to Diario Sport, who have on Friday provided an insight into the latest developments behind the scenes in Catalunya’s capital. Defender Fort, for his part, emerged as one of the most promising young talents at Barcelona last season. Under the watch of then-boss Xavi, the full-back, who can play on either side, racked up ten first-team appearances, chipping in with a trio of assists along the way. In turn, it came as something of a blow for Fort when, over this season’s early weeks, he failed to see the pitch even once under Hansi Flick. The 18-year-old failed to even get off the bench in any of Barcelona’s first four outings, giving rise to suggestions that he had failed to impress t...

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4Oct By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Rudiger: “Karim Benzema is the best player I have ever played with”

Real Madrid star Antonio Rudiger spoke about Karim Benzema as “the best player he has ever played with” in an interview with The Inside Scoop. He said: “Karim Benzema, I could say Modric, Kroos, Chelsea Hazard... but I have to go with Benzema [as the best player I have played with].” MADRID, SPAIN - JUNE 04: Karim Benzema of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring the team's first goal from a penalty kick during the LaLiga Santander match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on June 04, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images) Rudiger on Jude Bellingham “I believe if God marks your time, nobody can do anything about it and he was there always at the right time. And luckily, he has great parents. I spoke to his mum a coupl...

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2Oct By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

De Jong blown away by Barca fans after return from injury

Frenkie de Jong admitted he was blown away by Barcelona fans after receiving a standing ovation on his return to action after injury. The Dutchman made his first appearance since April in the win over Young Boys, with supporters at Montjuic delighted to see him back in action. “I’m very happy with the victory and personally to be back on the pitch, to play football, and also for the applause from the fans. I appreciate it. A happy night,” he told Movistar. “I didn’t expect such a standing ovation. I’m very happy with the way people treat me.” De Jong also spoke about the game itself and how he feels the team are shaping up under their new manager. “I see the team in good shape, in good form. Lots of energy, lots of dynamism, we are playing well. We have to continue like this and improve, l...

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29Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Atalanta Suffer Massive Injury Scare in Bologna Draw

Problems keep piling up for Atalanta at the start of the new campaign as Marco Brescianini faces a potentially lengthy spell on the sidelines. The former Frosinone midfielder picked up an injury during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Bologna at Renato Dall’Ara. Brescianini tried to break the deadlock on the stroke of halftime when he latched on to Sead Kolasinac’s cut-back on the edge of the six-yard box. Despite a delightful first touch, the Atalanta star caught the turf as he was trying to pull the trigger, injuring himself in the process. The 24-year-old immediately asked for medical attention. However, he refused to leave the pitch despite being treated near the end-line. Moments later, he collapsed to the ground again and had to hobble off the field in pain, with Lazar Samardzic taking...

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29Sep By Silver Emmanuel1 Comment

LALIGA

Flick’s first misstep sees Barcelona’s unbeaten run end

A first loss of the season had to come at some point but the manner of the humbling at Osasuna could easily have been avoided. Notwithstanding that one can sympathise with why Hansi Flick rotated his starting XI, multiple changes virtually handed the win to the team from Pamplona. On another night, if Barca’s second half chances had gone in, the Blaugranes could even have walked away with all three points, but frankly they wouldn’t have deserved it. Flick’s tactical nous was on show throughout the game, and his switches certainly affected things. Over the course of the season under this manager, Barca will undoubtedly win more than they lose. But he cannot escape criticism for leaving the likes of Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marc Casado and Inigo Martinez on the bench. One, or maybe two at a p...

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28Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Raphinha explains why he’s thriving under Flick at Barca

PARIS, FRANCE - APRIL 10: Raphinha of FC Barcelona celebrates after scoring the team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and FC Barcelona at Parc des Princes on April 10, 2024 in Paris, France.(Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images) Raphinha has been talking about life at Barcelona under Hansi Flick and his fine form so far this season for the Catalan giants. The Brazilian has been key to Barcelona’s early-season form and was named La Liga’s Player of the Month for August.After picking up the award, Raphinha has been asked about his performances and why he’s thriving this season under Flick.“ During last season, Xavi had me defending several times and the truth is that I really like being closer to the goal,” he told...

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27Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

Madrid return to scene of last defeat for Atletico derby clash

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid were unstoppable last season, unless they were facing city rivals Atletico Madrid. The only two defeats Los Blancos suffered were inflicted by Diego Simeone’s side, who host Real Madrid on Sunday in a spicy La Liga derby clash. Atletico were the last team to beat Madrid in the top flight, just over a year ago, with Carlo Ancelotti’s men unbeaten in 39 games since. The Rojiblancos also turfed Madrid out of the Copa del Rey in January 2024 in the last 16, which is the only loss Madrid have fallen to in the calendar year. Madrid are without star summer signing Kylian Mbappe after he suffered a thigh injury in the midweek win over Alaves, but still have a galaxy of attacking stars to call on. Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior, often the target of abus...

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26Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Hansi Flick discuss goalkeepers, Ansu Fati, Robert Lewandowski and Getafe after Barcelona win

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick was a happy man after seeing his team beat Getafe 1-0 on Wednesday to maintain their perfect start to the Liga season. BARCELONA, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 25: Robert Lewandowski salutes Hansi Flick, head coach of FC Barcelona during the LaLiga EA Sports match between FC Barcelona and Getafe CF at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on September 25, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images) The Catalans had to work hard against a typically tough Getafe side, with Robert Lewandowski the match-winner for the hosts.Here are the best bits from Flick’s post-match presser:Flick on potentially signing a goalkeeperI’m only talking about the players I have, and Inaki is our goalkeeper. I’m happy today. We have three more points. Inaki is 25 years old an...

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25Sep By Silver Emmanuel3 Comments

LALIGA

Real Madrid confirm Kylian Mbappe injury blow ahead of Atletico derby

Kylian Mbappe is expected to ruled out for three weeks after suffering a thigh injury during Real Madrid's LaLiga victory over Alaves on Tuesday night. Mbappe, who scored in a fifth straight match to put his side 2-0 up five minutes before half-time at the Bernabeu, was replaced by Arda Guler in the 79th minute after seemingly feeling some discomfort. A Real statement on Wednesday read: 'After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by the Real Madrid medical team, he has been diagnosed with an injury to the (left thigh).' No further information was disclosed as to the expected timescale of Mbappe's recovery. Mbappe, who signed a five-year deal with the Madrid club in July after his contract at Paris St Germain expired, has made an impressive start to life in Spain. The 25-...

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24Sep By Silver EmmanuelNo Comments

LALIGA

La Liga rivals joins Barca stars in sending support to Ter Stegen

Barcelona players have been quick to send support to Marc-Andre ter Stegen after he suffered an awful knee injury against Villarreal that has seen him undergo surgery. Raphinha dedicated Barcelona’s win to Ter Stegen after the match when he spoke to the media, and team-mates have been quick to post messages on social media to their goalkeeper. Lamine Yamal posted on social media: “A lot of strength Marc, you are strong,” while Marc Bernal said “We are with you, captain” and Fermin Lopez added “With you captain.” Inigo Martinez posted on X: “You’ll come back stronger, captain. We’ll be waiting for you! Good luck Marc!” Sergi Roberto was also thinking about his good friend and former team-mate, writing: “Be strong Capi. I’m with you. Once again you will show your mentality and I have no doub...

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23Sep By Silver Emmanuel2 Comments

LALIGA

Barcelona beat Villarreal 5-1 with the help of Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha

Forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both scored twice to help Barcelona thrash hosts Villarreal 5-1 on Sunday as the visitors maintained their perfect start in La Liga with a sixth consecutive victory. Lewandowski found the net twice inside 35 minutes before Villarreal pulled a quick one back through Ayoze Perez but Pablo Torre made it 3-1 after the break and Raphinha completed the rout for Barca with two goals late in the second half. On Saturday, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said he was delighted with his side’s play and resiliency in their clash against Espanyol, fighting back to win 4-1 after falling behind due to a rare blunder by their goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Ancelotti praised his players’ poise under pressure as they dominated proceedings, earning a win thanks to go...

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